Tyndale Open Study Notes2 Corinthians 3

Paul’s ministry was proven by the lives changed by the good news about Jesus, not by a letter of recommendation (compare Acts 18:27). Christ, who caused this change, used Paul to guide believers to him. The true signs are not in letters written with pen and ink on parchment, but in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) in human lives and engraved on human hearts.

Paul compares his ministry to others by contrasting the old covenant of written laws (Exodus 31:18) with the new covenant written on human hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).

The old written covenant refers to the law of Moses as interpreted by Jewish rabbis. It results in death for those who see it as a path to salvation. The law is good (Romans 7:12–14), but those who try to earn merit through it fail. Earning merit through the law leads to either wrongdoing or pride. In both cases, the law brings condemnation (2 Corinthians 3:9).

• The old covenant had moments of glory, like when the face of Moses shone from talking with the Lord (Exodus 34:29–35).

• The old way has been replaced by the new, eternal way (Hebrews 8:8–13).

The old covenant, symbolized by the veil worn by Moses, caused fear and did not clear spiritual blindness.

Believers who turn to the Lord find freedom in the Spirit. We gain something Moses never experienced as we become more like Christ (4:4; John 1:1–14; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:1–4) and reflect the Lord's glory. Experiencing divine glory in this life helps us become like Christ in the next life (Romans 8:29; Galatians 4:19; Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2).